Designing CSCW tools to support cooperative research

This study applied participatory design (PD) techniques to design the system architecture as well as to establish user-specific social conventions for research related interactions using computer supported cooperative work (CSCW) tools. The tools comprised an interactive communication module, a distributed visualization module, and a large international data repository. The paper explores the extent to which the PD concept which is usually employed in user interface design, may be effective for addressing these other, related issues as well. Results were confirmatory suggesting that PD techniques can be adapted effectively to address issues other than those involved in user interface design. Findings also suggested that these topics should be dealt with in special sessions separate from those aiming to design the user interface.